The
scientific evidence is mixed as to whether companionship of a dog can enhance
human physical health and psychological wellbeing. Studies suggesting that
there are benefits to physical health and psychological wellbeing have been
criticised for being poorly controlled, and finding that "[t]he health of
elderly people is related to their health habits and social supports but not to
their ownership of, or attachment to, a companion animal." Earlier studies
have shown that people who keep pet dogs or cats exhibit better mental and
physical health than those who do not, making fewer visits to the doctor and
being less likely to be on medication than non-guardians.
A
2005 paper states "recent research has failed to support earlier findings
that pet ownership is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease,
a reduced use of general practitioner services, or any psychological or
physical benefits on health for community dwelling older people. Research has,
however, pointed to significantly less absenteeism from school through sickness
among children who live with pets." In one study, new guardians reported a
highly significant reduction in minor health problems during the first month
following pet acquisition, and this effect was sustained in those with dogs
through to the end of the study.
In
addition, people with pet dogs took considerably more physical exercise than
those with cats and those without pets. The results provide evidence that
keeping pets may have positive effects on human health and behaviour, and that
for guardians of dogs these effects are relatively long-term. Pet guardianship
has also been associated with increased coronary artery disease survival, with
human guardians being significantly less likely to die within one year of an
acute myocardial infarction than those who did not own dogs.
The
health benefits of dogs can result from contact with dogs in general, and not
solely from having dogs as pets. For example, when in the presence of a pet
dog, people show reductions in cardiovascular, behavioral, and psychological
indicators of anxiety. Other health benefits are gained from exposure to
immune-stimulating microorganisms, which, according to the hygiene hypothesis,
can protect against allergies and autoimmune diseases. The benefits of contact
with a dog also include social support, as dogs are able to not only provide
companionship and social support themselves, but also to act as facilitators of
social interactions between humans. One study indicated that wheelchair users
experience more positive social interactions with strangers when they are
accompanied by a dog than when they are not. In 2015, a study found that pet
owners were significantly more likely to get to know people in their neighborhood
than non-pet owners.
The
practice of using dogs and other animals as a part of therapy dates back to the
late 18th century, when animals were introduced into mental institutions to
help socialize patients with mental disorders. Animal-assisted intervention
research has shown that animal-assisted therapy with a dog can increase social
behaviors, such as smiling and laughing, among people with Alzheimer's disease.
One study demonstrated that children with ADHD and conduct disorders who
participated in an education program with dogs and other animals showed
increased attendance, increased knowledge and skill objectives, and decreased
antisocial and violent behavior compared with those who were not in an
animal-assisted program.
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